Ciao Italy, New Zealand, Denmark and Cameroon

>Groups E and F have been decided at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with two European teams, one African team and one Oceania team eliminated.

The success of the South American nations continued with Paraguay topping their group, while the Dutch and Slovakia also progressed and will meet next, along with the Japanese who go through.

But the departed is the focus here as the post-mortems begin.

Ciao Italy

Italy 1 Paraguay 1’‘Italy 1 New Zealand 1'’Italy 2 Slovakia 3

Typically, expectations were high for Italy, as the reigning world champions. But how did they let their nation down, with boss Marcello Lippi copping the brunt of the criticism after the Azzurri failed to win a game in South Africa and finished bottom of their group.

Lippi put his hand up and said: “Right, ok, I take all responsibility, no excuses. If a team turns up to such an important tournament with terror in their heads, hearts and mind and they fail to express themseleves, then it means that the coach didn’t prepare it well.”

Goodbye New Zealand

New Zealand 1 Slovakia 1’‘New Zealand 1 Italy 1'’New Zealand 0 Paraguay 0

On the contrary, expectations for New Zealand’s All Whites were very low. On the back of last year’s celebrations at the Confederations Cup after claiming a draw against Iraq, it’s easy to understand anyone who expected New Zealand to struggle but they defied the odds, going home undefeated with some fearless and committed football.

Coach Ricki Herbert, who has won much praise for New Zealand’s efforts, said: “I’m just so proud of these guys - to go out unbeaten at a World Cup. Will that ever happen again? I doubt it.”

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Vi Ses Denmark

Denmark 0 Netherlands 2’‘Denmark 2 Cameroon 1'’Denmark 1 Japan 3

The Danish were eyeing a Round of 16 berth, but their disappointing opening loss to the Dutch put them off on the wrong foot. In the end, it all came down to the final match against the Blue Samurai with boss Morten Olsen confident going in, but Denmark were soundly beaten by Japan’s tricky free-kick takers.

Olsen said afterwards: “We are naturally disappointed. It was unnecessary that we have been eliminated. The whole game has been decided by these two free kicks.”

Au Revoir Cameroon

Cameroon 0 Japan 1’‘Cameroon 1 Denmark 2'’Cameroon 1 Netherlands 2

Paul Le Guen’s Indomitable Lions arrived in South Africa with some pretty woeful pre-World Cup form and they continued that on during the tournament as they failed to collect a point. Cameroon were the first team eliminated from the World Cup and were utterly disappointing.

Le Guen, who is leaving the Cameroon job, said: “Maybe I didn’t succeed in unifying the team and bringing the team together. I will not point fingers or accuse anyone. I thought I would have got better results with this match.”